Research Document 1998/132

The status of White hake (Urophycis tenuis), a non-traditional species in NAFO Divisions 3L, 3N, 3O and Subdivision 3Ps

By D.W. Kulka and F.K. Mowbray

Abstract

With the decline in "traditional" groundfish resources in the waters around Newfoundland, interest in the exploitation of alternate species including white hake (Urophycis tenuis) has increased. Presently there is a limited directed fishery for white hake on the southern Grand Banks although it is more commonly taken in mixed fisheries with cod, monkfish and skate. There is no quota for the hake fishery in NAFO Div. 3LNO and Subdivision 3Ps and effort is regulated only by closures due to excessive bycatch of other species. This paper provides: a review of fishery catch, effort, and catch composition; an analysis of abundance, biomass and size composition from research vessel surveys and an examination of spatial distribution, for white hake in NAFO Div. 3LNO and Subdiv. 3Ps, 1995-1998. Abundance has declined to lowest historic levels (perhaps stable since the early 1990's) although locale and spatial extent of the stock has remained constant since the start of stratified research surveys in the 1970's. White hake distribution is restricted to a narrow band along the southwest edge of the Grand Banks and into the Laurentian and Hermitage Channels. Here, bottom temperatures are warmest (2.5-60 C) and bottom depth ranges from 100 to 700 m. The hake distribute deeper in the spring than in the fall and as a result sustain similarly warm conditions between seasons. A 12-120 cm range of total lengths observed from research surveys has changed little over the years.

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